Air Masses Large areas (blobs) of air that have the same weather, temperatures and humidity Air Mass Types - Named for where they come FROM Weather changes occur with changes in air masses

Fronts boundary between two air masses bring changes in the weather (from west to east) Fronts are named for the air that is behind them

Air Mass Army Analogy Think of air masses as an army front (the army is BEHIND the frontline) At the Front there is FIGHTING and lots of VIOLENCE (stormy weather) Behind the front (inside the air mass) the general sits on his duff and watches the goings-on while enjoying the nice weather!

NICE WEATHER FIGHTING - STORMS

Cold Front Cold dense air pushes warm air out of the way Cold fronts move very quickly and bring short periods of rain/thunderstorms Lower temperatures are behind the front SYMBOL – the direction of the “arrows” points towards the direction the front is MOVING

Warm Front Warm air moves up the cold front as it slowly climbs up the cold air Warm fronts move slowly, and bring many days of steady precipitation Higher temperatures are behind the front SYMBOL – direction of “half-moons” is the direction the front is moving

Stationary Front The air from the warm front and cold front meet, but do not move These fronts have the same weather as warm fronts SYMBOL – warm and cold fronts are moving in opposite directions, thus making a stationary condition

Cold Front

Warm Front